If you see a cyclist in colourful tight Lycra with a giant white teddy bear strapped to his back, don’t be alarmed.
And definitely don’t call the police.
Because he is the police.
Dan Di Paola, of the Port Moody police, is participating in this year’s Cops For Cancer Tour de Coast, where law enforcement and emergency services personnel cycle around Metro Vancouver and up the Sunshine Coast to raise money for childhood cancer research and support services at the Canadian Cancer Society.
And in this most unusual year in which the usual peloton of police and paramedics ride about 100 km a day in a pack, stopping at schools, city halls and police stations along the way for rallies and fundraisers has had to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Di Paola’s fellow officers have given him a unique challenge.
His name is Big Ben, the large white teddy bear.
To help grab people’s attention during Di Paola’s training rides around the Tri-Cities and up Burnaby Mountain, and during his efforts to cover about 400 kms from Sept. 21-25, Big Ben will be strapped to his back.
The smiles and bemused looks the fluffy ursine elicits far outweigh the wind resistance he provides, especially on speedy descents, Di Paola said, adding hopefully some of those turn into donations.
While each participant in the Tour de Coast normally has to raise $6,000 for their place in the pack, that requirement has been relaxed this year as public health restrictions limit the opportunity for fundraising events like car washes, Freezie sales at schools and pub nights.
Nevertheless Di Paola is relying on a vigorous social media campaign, and Big Ben, to help him achieve that goal. As of Sept. 18, he’s already amassed more than $4,300.
Di Paola said he’s a rookie roadie, after many years as a recreational mountain biker. He was finally able to trade his wide knobby tires for skinny slicks when he went back to regular patrol after a long stretch on call for the Lower Mainland’s Emergency Response Team.
Di Paola said the transition has been as smooth as freshly-laid blacktop, as he’s logged upwards of 150 kms in training a week since April.
While the absence of the group rides and the accompaniment of motorcycle escorts that allow the peloton to travel unimpeded by traffic and lights was a bit of a disappointment, Di Paola said that pales in comparison to the hardships faced by the kids the ride is helping.
“All the hurdles against us are small compared to the kids’ hurdles,” he said. “Their lives have been impacted more than my fundraising.”
